January/February Albert Lea Magazine

ALBERT LEA

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

magazine

WEDDING BARN OFFERS RUSTIC

ELEGANCE

8

WAYS TO BEAT CABIN FEVER

THE BRIDE ISSUE

EDITOR’S NOTE

A special issue for Albert Lea Magazine

Editor Sarah Stultz lives in Albert Lea with her husband, Jason, and son, Landon. She loves interior decorating and gardening.

Got ideas?

This is our eighth year! We at Albert Lea Magazine want to hear what you think, and we need your brightest ideas for coming issues. Favorite musicians? Finest artists? Beautiful home? Best storytellers? Local nightlife? We are open-minded. Call Sarah Stultz at 379-3433. Feel free to write a letter, too. Our address is on the right.

2 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

This is an exciting issue for Albert Lea Magazine. For the first time in this issue and now moving forward at this time every year, we present to you a special section called Albert Lea Bride within the pages of the magazine.

This issue has all of the same things you’ve grown accustomed to over the years — DIYs, book reviews, recipes, columns, features and photos of you around the community — but this time we also feature extra articles, information and advertisements centered around weddings and brides.

Two couples from the area allowed us to feature them in the issue, talking about the highlights of their weddings, which will be sure to prompt ideas for couples looking to tie the knot in the coming year.

We also feature The Barn of Chapeau Shores, the beautiful new event barn that opened in June in Albert Lea, bringing another event venue to the community.

I interviewed Chad and Jayne Iverson, owners of the barn, who had a remarkable vision for this landmark in Albert Lea and who hope it can ultimately be a blessing for the community.

The space is stunning, and I’m sure it will bring joy to many couples on their wedding days well into the future.

Outside of the bridal theme, this issue also catches up with Ashley and Travis Broskoff, parents of five children — including a set of quadruplets — about their lives as parents of multiples.

The Broskoffs are a fun, fast-paced family, and we enjoyed them opening up their home to us and allowing us to have a glimpse into their lives.

We hope you had a wonderful holiday season, and we look forward to another year of Albert Lea Magazine.

As always, if you have any ideas of people or groups in the community you would like to see in the magazine, please let us know!

— Sarah Stultz

ALBERTmagazine LEA PUBLISHER Crystal Miller EDITORIAL Editor Sarah Stultz Contributing Writers Bill Bromeland Jenny Davis Linda Evenson Angela Moller Michelle Nelson Emily Schmidt Sarah Stultz Contributing Photographers Colleen Harrison ART Layout Design Kim Ehrich SALES & PROMOTION Sales Representatives Chelsey Bellrichard Renee Citsay Daniel Gullickson JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 Volume 8, Number 1 EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE: Editor, Albert Lea Magazine, 808 W. Front St. Albert Lea, MN 56007 ONLINE: albertleamagazine.com or facebook.com/ albertleamagazine © 2020 All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced without written permission.

For comments, suggestions or story ideas call 507-379-3433.

To purchase advertising, call 507-379-3427.

To subscribe, call 507-379-3422.

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ALBERT LEA | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

on the cover

features A TAKE ON FAVORITES

‘‘JUST NORMAL PEOPLE’

A WINTER WEDDING

Couple centers wedding around some of their favorite things

Albert Lea couple describes life with quadruplets — plus one

Couple combines elegance, rural background for breathtaking day

28

BEING PART OF A ‘JOYOUS EVENT’ The Barn of Chapeau Shores offers mix of rustic elegance

38

— Photo courtesy Lora & Isaac

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ALBERT LEA | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

contents

8

Seen 8

18

WEDDINGS AND ENGAGEMENTS

10

ALBERT LEA HOCKEY

11

ALBERT LEA CANTORI

12

CIVIC MUSIC

13

KINDNESS ROCKS

Departments 18

DIY: HANDCRAFTED WEDDING FAVORS

22

SAVOR: TRIPLE BERRY APPLE CRISP

For this special bride issue, we asked readers their preferences on a few wedding details. Here’s the response:: When you go to a wedding, do you prefer a band or a DJ? Neither, 42 votes, 18.8%

Band, 92 votes, 41.2%

All the rest

22

14 20

BOOKS: GREAT READS

54

LOOKING BACK

56

DIETITIAN’S DIGEST

57

HEALTH & FITNESS

60

EVENTS CALENDAR

64

WHY I LOVE ALBERT LEA

8 WAYS TO SURVIVE CABIN FEVER

DJ, 89 votes, 40%

As a bride, do you prefer real flowers, fake flowers or something else?

Fake, 22 votes, 16.2%

60

On the cover: Hannah Stadheim pictured from her wedding in February 2019.

Photo by Katie Wilke

Something else, 15 votes, 11%

Real, 99 votes, 72.8% JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 5

6 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

ANGIE HOFFMAN REALTOR® | OFFICE ADMIN 507.402.7399 angie@roberthoffmanrealty.com MN #40608325

R O B E RT H O F F M A N BROKER | REALTOR® | PROPERTY MGR. 507.402.4692 robert@roberthoffmanrealty.com MN #40229984, IA #B67145000

DANIEL GULLICKSON REALTOR® 507.456.4667 daniel@roberthoffmanrealty.com MN #40449989

212 Broadway Ave. S. | Albert Lea, MN | MN #40230933, IA #F06060000

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SEEN | WEDDINGS & ENGAGEMENTS

1

2

3

(1) Annika Smed and Joel Schwenzfeier (2) Mary Ness and Christopher Emery (3) Megan Gilbertson and John Jurgens (4) Chelsey Benz and Trevor Bellrichard (5) Taylor Jensen and Adam Muilenburg (6) Abby LeBrun and Dylan Anderson

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4 8 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

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SEEN | ALBERT LEA HOCKEY

1

2

Plenty of fans showed up to Roy Nystrom Arena Dec. 3 for the Tigers’ second home game of the season. The boys’ hockey team did not disappoint, defeating Winona 5-2 to move to 1-1 on the season.

(1) Seth Tscholl, Andrew Tscholl, Will Doppelhammer and Isaiah Andersen (2) Robert and Helen Edwin (3) Shae Peterson, Annabella Jensen and Morrighan Wadding (4) Cassie Neilsen, Aliyah Bachtle, Rhea Bachtle, Mckenzie Marti and Gracelan Bachtle (5) Amanda Evans, Ann Doppelhammer and John Doppelhammer

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ALBERT LEA CANTORI CONCERT | SEEN

1

2 Albert Lea Cantori presented its fall 2019 concert, “This Little Babe,” Nov. 24 at United Methodist Church to a standing-room only crowd. The ensemble performed “A Ceremony of Carols” by Benjamin Britten, a Christmas choral piece that features a harp solo. Eileen Nelson Ness directed.

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(1) Josh Enderson, Erica Cunningham, Dennis Johnson and Carol Larson (2) Mary Shaffenberg, Judy Hellie, Jayne Williamschen and Jill Morsted (3) JoAnn Seuser, Judy Hargrave, Merle Stensrud and Ruth Vermedahl (4) Sue Jorgensen, Paul Rehmke, Jodi Blong, Glen Parsons and Matthew Lehman

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SEEN | CIVIC MUSIC

1

2 The Albert Lea Civic Music concert featuring violinist Timothy Chooi was Nov. 25 in the Albert Lea High School auditorium.

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(1) Becky Tennis Hanson, David Vaagen and Ada Theusch (2) Joyce Wayne and Elmer and Joan VandenHeuvel (3) Lily Neitzell, Beverly Harpel and Nola Roberts (4) Grant and Becky Lohse (5) Barb Rognes and Judy Worth (6) Stan and Deb Opdahl (7) Cheri Christiensen, Tessa Hemmingsen, Carissa Mika, Diane Wichmann, Claire Mika and Charlotte Mika

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KINDNESS ROCKS | SEEN

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3

2

The United Way of Freeborn County, Albert Lea Rocks Facebook group and Peppered Cow joined together to host a Kindness Rocks rock painting event Nov. 23 at Northbridge Mall.

(1) Chaz, Riley and Sam Crawford (2) Brad and Gemma Kramer (3) Eleanor Martinez and Nevaeh Fleek (4) Henry, Natalie, Teddy and Thomas Martinez (5) Cindy Dowd and Ethan Haag (6) Bryn, Nora and Lara Westrum (7) Antiane and Antalea Johnson

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8 WAYS TO SURVIVE

CABIN FEVER

BY SARAH STULTZ

In the middle of winter, it’s easy to get restless as you daydream about warmer weather and blue skies from inside the house. While we still likely have a few months left of winter, that doesn’t mean you have to be bored until spring.

Here are eight activities to help you beat cabin fever: 1. Organize your house or de-clutter.

Everyone talks about spring cleaning, but why not get a head start and begin de-cluttering this season?

While snow is falling outside, you have all the time in the world to go through each room, pick out the items you want to get rid of and then put them in a box to donate or sell.

Consider asking yourself what Japanese professional organizer Marie Konda encourages, “Does this bring you joy?” If the items don’t bring you joy, maybe it’s time to give them to someone else who can benefit from them.

If you don’t have a lot of clutter and simply need to organize, it’s the perfect time to do that, as well. Need some ideas for organization? There are endless ideas online on places such as Pinterest.

If you get done now, you’ll have more time to spend outdoors once the weather improves.

Don’t feel like organizing? Just try rearranging the furniture. It will bring a whole new feel to the room.

2. Read a new book.

Did you make it a goal to read more this year? Now’s the opportunity to fulfill that resolution.

Pick up a new book at Albert Lea Public Library or borrow one from a friend and then sit back, relax and let yourself be taken away into another world.

If you prefer to read a book on your tablet or phone, download the OverDrive and Libby apps. From there, you can search for Albert Lea Public Library and connect to other libraries in the Southeastern Libraries Cooperating system to find your book. Make sure you have your library card handy. You’ll need that to log in.

Not only can books entertain, but you can learn a lot from them, too.

3. Plan your summer vacation.

What better time to plan a summer getaway than now when you’re itching to get somewhere warm.

Research all your options, and then book your flight and hotel.

Keep in mind that most places that are warm now will be even hotter when summertime rolls around.

You may not need to plan all the activities you want to do once you get there quite yet, but getting the trip booked is the first step to making it happen.

4. Try a new recipe.

Social media and the internet are filled with recipes galore. Take this opportunity when you may have more hours indoors to try one out.

Children, typically, love to cook, so get them involved, too.

Overwhelmed with the choices of recipes online? Now might be the perfect time to pull out that favorite family recipe that’s always a success.

5. Complete a home improvement project

Have a room you need to paint, or want to put in a new kitchen floor? Get the supplies, grab a few helpers and you can get it done quickly — again leaving more time this spring and summer to spend outdoors once the snow is gone.

6. Host a game night with friends or family.

Break out classics like Monopoly or Scattergories and invite some friends or family over for an evening of board games. Don’t like board games? Try for an evening of card games. The possibilities are endless.

7. Catch up on your favorite shows or movies you’ve been meaning to watch.

Take advantage of the extra time on your hands and give yourself permission to enjoy a marathon of your favorite shows or movies. It’s likely not often you can do this, so soak it up while you can.

8. Go to a local hotel for an overnight stay and pool party with your children.

Want to have a mini vacation with your children but don’t want to drive far? Consider staying overnight at one of the area hotels that offers a pool, and your children will think you’re the best parent ever.

The pools are usually open most of the day, so you can swim awhile, grab a bite to eat and go back later if you’d like.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 15

SHOP DOWNTOWN ALBERT LEA find everything you need, locally

ExquisitE food & finE winEs A first class dining establishment that reflects the influence of classic french & italian cuisine, and current California trends. we offer a diverse selection of over 100 imported & domestic wines. full cocktail service also available. we feature usdA Prime beef & fresh seafood open thursday, friday and saturday evenings at 5:30 RESERVATIONS RECOMMENDED Regularly changing menu, see our website at www.cresendodining.com

507-377-2425

118 s. Broadway Ave, Albert Lea

Attorney

ALLAN L. HALVORSEN Goldman, Sturtz & HalvorSen

Wills | Probate | PoWers of attorney HealtH Care DireCtives real estate | transfer on DeatH DeeDs 137 North Broadway Ave. | Albert Lea, MN 507-373-1409

Albert Lea Art Center

Create, Educate, Promote & Showcase the arts

Gallery Exhibits, Lecture Series, Classes Offered, Gift Shop, Art Supplies, Special Events

Contact the Art Center for Details!

101 S. Broadway, Albert Lea, MN 56007 507-373-5665 web: www.thealbertleaartcenter.org Instagram & Face Book: Albert Lea Art Center

ECLECTIC. CREATIVE. VIBRANT.

GIFTS & DECOR

Hours: 10 am—4 pm Tues-Fri 10 am—1 pm Sat

BY ANGELA MOLLER

DIY | WEDDING FAVORS

HANDCRAFTED

WEDDING FAVORS Reception decor is the perfect way to incorporate a bit of the happy couple’s personalities. Wedding favors are a sweet token of appreciation for the guests who add meaning to the big day, and handcrafted gifts speak volumes! Source local ingredients and accessorize with pages, embellishments and fabrics to coordinate with your wedding decor. Round up the bridesmaids for a fun day of creating favors and making memories!

What you will need:

Angela Moller is a local designer who owns and operates The Homestead Boutique with her husband, Matt. These lovebirds have been married for 19 years and they adore working together to create special gifts and decor, especially for weddings. You can find Matt and Angela’s work at The Homestead Boutique at 415 E. William St. in Albert Lea and online at www. homesteaddesignmn.com

Sugar scrub jar A small jar of sweet-smelling scrub makes a thoughtful gift. Online recipes include simple ingredients such as white sugar and olive or coconut oil. A few drops of peppermint or lavender essential oils are a nice touch.

18 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

Glass jars (can be found in bulk on Amazon) Your favorite recipe and

corresponding ingredients Paper crafting materials such as cardstock, embellishments and punches Burlap, twine, fabric, yarn or ribbon Scissors Hot glue gun

Hot cocoa mix jar Choose a recipe that fits your jar size, and fill each jar with one serving of cocoa mix topped with mini marshmallows. Add a “Love is sweet” tag with mixing instructions for a thoughtful and memorable gift.

Dried herb jar Local gardeners or farmers market vendors will be glad to help you fill these unique jars with dried herbs, or hit up the bulk bins at Wintergreen Natural Foods.

Choose a favorite spice or a variety and adorn with a pretty tag.

Popcorn jar Guests can take home this jar of your favorite popcorn or enjoy it as a late-night snack during the wedding dance.

Purchase popcorn, kettle corn or caramel corn or pop your own. A cute tag is the finishing touch to this light-hearted favor.

Jam jar Try your hand at making your own jam or purchase from a local maker. Choose your favorite flavor or offer a variety. Guests can trade amongst themselves to take home their favorite!

Honey jar What’s sweeter than honey? Source local honey from an area beekeeper or purchase in bulk at Wintergreen Natural Foods. A tiny jar topped with fabric or burlap and tied with a ribbon makes an extra sweet gift.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 19

BOOKS | GREAT READS

BOOKS YOU

CAN’T

LIVE WITHOUT “The Girl with Seven Names, a North Korean Defector’s Story”

By Hyeonseo Lee with David Lee Review by Alyce (Penny) Jacobsen

Occasionally I finish reading a book and think, “What an important book! Everyone should read this.” Lee’s true story tells an almost unbelievable account of growing up in and escaping from North Korea.

It’s nearly impossible for Americans to comprehend living conditions so secretive and harsh that members of a loving family feel the need to escape. In North Korea, leaving the country illegally risks capture, torture, prison and even execution.

Returning to visit or help family members is even more dangerous.

The author, her mother and brother eventually find asylum in South Korea, but it took months, thousands of miles of travel and huge amounts of money, mostly for bribes to guards and government officials.

Lee was invited to speak at the United Nations in 2013 and now works to educate the public about the brutal regime that still dominates North Korea.

This book was an eye-opener for me. I intend to be more appreciative of comforts and freedoms that are usually taken for granted by United

States residents. In a fascinating story, it deals with issues we need to know more about, especially when we realize that thousands of escapees are at our southern border right now, begging for asylum. Yes, everyone should read this book!

“Lost To Time, Unforgettable Stories That Time Forgot”

By Martin W. Sandler

Review by Bev Jackson Cotter “Lost To Time” is a delightful read, exciting, interesting and surprising.

Did Orville Wright make America’s first manned flight?

No. Did Paul Revere make the most significant ride warning of British soldiers during the American Revolution? No. Was there a city of 30,000 people in North America 500 years before 20 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

Columbus arrived? Yes. To many people, history may seem boring — dates, names and situations that have little connection to our lives today. But, history is real people — folks who accomplished amazing feats and others who laughed and cried, celebrated or mourned just like we do.

Martin Sandler shares with us the other side of history, the side where there were no photographers, biographers or poets on hand. This well researched nonfiction brings history alive. We can relate to it, connect with it, learn from it and enjoy reading it.

4 READS YOU

SHOULDN’T MISS “This Is How It Always Is”

By Laurie Frankel

A story of patience, family, acceptance and unconditional love. Claude is the youngest of five boys. Claude feels much more comfortable as a little girl than he does as a boy. He likes Barbies and twirly dresses and wants to grow up to be a woman. His family is undeniably accepting and their love of Claude/Poppy is undeniable, but when her safety in the real world comes into question, they move across the country and start new lives where Poppy can simply be Poppy and not “Poppy who used to be Claude.” What choice is the right one? How will Mom and Dad know if they’re acting in their child’s best interests or the best interests of all of their children? How do they protect their child from what they know the world always seems to have in store for people who are different?

This is a book that everyone should read. It carries a moving message that we all should learn.

“If You Tell: A True Story of Murder”

By Gregg Olsen This book is a chilling story of abuse that three sisters survived and three others did not.

It is full of evil and is very difficult to read (especially knowing that it is a true story); however, it was also hard to put down.

Shelly was sadistic, dark and vengeful from the time she was a young girl, and it carried on as an adult and sadly as a mother as well. Why did she commit these horrible acts? Why/how did the people in her life let her continue to terrorize and abuse? The ending punishments seem trivial compared to what her daughters and the three boarders suffered.

“The Sun Does Shine”

By Anthony Ray Hinton

In 1985, Anthony Ray Hinton was arrested and charged with two counts of capital murder in Alabama. Stunned, confused and only 29 years old, Hinton knew it was a case of mistaken identity and believed that the truth would prove his innocence and ultimately set him free. However, that was not the case. He was sentenced to death by electrocution. This book is an incredible, moving and inspiring true story from a man that spent 30 years on Death Row, and yet approaches life with a happier view of things than many of us who were privileged to have never even thought of experiencing something like that.

Truly one of the most eye-opening books I have ever read. I would never hesitate to suggest this book to anyone.

“No One Ever Asked”

By Katie Ganshert

When a poor school district loses its accreditation, the nearby affluent community has no choice but to open their school doors, and so the lives of three very different women come together: Camille, Jen and Anaya. They each bring their own story to the table — racism, marriage in crisis, sexual harassment and international adoption. We are drawn in to all their lives, each of their struggles no less important than the next. I was challenged to think a little harder and dig a little deeper into my own conscience. It also made me cry.

Want to review a book?

We are looking for book clubs, workplaces or groups of friends who would like to review books for future issues of the magazine. If you want to get involved, contact Michelle Rasmussen at 379-9850 or michelle.daveiga@albertleatribune.com.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 21

SAVOR | TRIPLE BERRY APPLE CRISP

BY CHEF JOHN LOWERY

A NEW TAKE ON A SEASONAL

FAVORITE

Chef John Lowery has 43 years of culinary experience and is a transplant to Minnesota from Florida. Over the years, he has worked as chefs in various states, including Florida, Michigan and Minnesota.

He has prepared food for celebrities such as Adrian Dantley, Magic Johnson, singing group New Edition and boxer George Foreman. He lives in Conger with his wife, Kathy, and owns Conger Inn Victory Catering.

Triple Berry Apple Crisp Ingredients 1 1/2 cups apples 1 1/2 cups strawberries 1 1/2 cups raspberries 1 1/2 cups blueberries 4 tablespoons white granulated sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups rolled oats 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 1/2 cups butter Few scoops ice cream (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350° F. In a large bowl, gently toss together strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, apples and granulated sugar; set aside.

In a separate large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cut butter until crumbly. Press half of mixture in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch pan. Cover with berry mixture, and sprinkle remaining crumble mixture over the berry mixture.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until fruit is bubbly and topping is golden brown.

Optional: serve with ice cream.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 23

Bride

ALBERT LEA

WEDDING BARN

BRINGS RUSTIC ELEGANCE P. 38 COUPLES SHARE IDEAS FROM THEIR

BIG DAY P. 28, 32

Leutholds 26 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

Northbridge Mall · 2426 Bridge Avenue · Albert Lea, MN 507-373-3142 · LeutholdsAlbertLea.com

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 27

A FUN TAKE ON

FAVORITES Couple centers wedding around things they love Photography by LUMOS IMAGES

Bride: Savannah (Simpson) Berg Digital media account consultant at Optimize Social Media Groom: Tony Berg Department manager at Walmart Couple currently lives in St. Paul.

Bride is from Albert Lea, groom is from Bagley Wedding date: Sept. 7, 2019, at Hyatt Regency-Minneapolis Bloomington Did you have a theme for the wedding?

Our theme was “these are a few of our favorite things.”

Tell us about the dress:

What made me fall in love with my dress was the underneath coloring of blush and the thick floral lace. If anyone knows me, they know how much I love floral, and this dress was definitely “me.”

30 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

Tell us about the flowers:

I wanted corals and blues in my flowers, and the Hy-Vee in Oakdale made that dream a reality. I actually used fake flowers for the rest, including bridesmaid bouquets, flowers on the tables and the boutonnières.

Other decorations:

Our decorations were unique to us. Each of our tables were themed to something we love (“The Office,” horror, music, etc.) and each of those tables had trivia questions on them. We wanted to make it as interactive as possible, and we heard great things from it!

We definitely used cherry blossom fake flowers on each table for a small floral touch. A lot of our decor was bought from either Hobby

Lobby or Target! Our guest book was a poster with our bitmojis on it, and now it’s hanging on our wall! We used a polaroid hanging fixture for the fun photos instead of a photo booth.

What were you most nervous about?

What was your favorite detail?

What was your most memorable moment?

For our ceremony, it actually was 15 minutes long! Our unity ceremony was a time capsule, but we forgot the items in the venue!

Looking back, it’s too funny not to share.

Tell us about the cake:

Our cake was a two tier from Hy-Vee that we actually didn’t serve.

Our venue served dessert and it was a lemon cheesecake torte. Very delicious!

I think I was most nervous about accidentally falling in front of everyone! I didn’t!

My most memorable moment was our first look. Tony cried!

Advice for others planning:

My biggest advice is don’t let people make decisions for you. This day is about your union in marriage, and no one should be deciding what that looks like except for you and your spouse. Enjoy the day the best you can, and remember, it’s just one day and that day is the start of the rest of your life!

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 31

A RURAL WINTER

WEDDING Local couple combines elegance, rural background for breathtaking ceremony, reception Photography by KATIE WILKE

Bride: Hannah Stadheim, 23 Farm wife/stay-at-home mom Groom: Bennett Stadheim, 24 Farmer Wedding date: Feb. 2, 2019

Where was your wedding and reception?

Our wedding was on Feb. 2, 2019, the week of the polar vortex. We had our wedding at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Hartland, and the reception was at The Mill Event Center in Waseca.

Why did you choose those locations?

We chose Cross of Glory because I grew up attending church there, and it means a lot to my family. It’s also a beautiful traditional church and was exactly what we wanted. It made for a breathtaking winter wedding ceremony. We chose The Mill in Waseca because it is a rustic industrial event venue and went along with our theme for our wedding perfectly.

Did you have a theme for the wedding?

Yes, we had a theme! I would say it was a rustic, vintage winter wedding. We had galvanized décor, with birch, evergreen and eucalyptus, along with gold accents that kept it classy.

Tell us about the dress.

My dress came from the Silhouette in Easton. This is the shop where I found all my prom dresses in high school, so I knew I would probably find what I was looking for there. It didn’t take me long to find the dress of my dreams along with the perfect veil. I knew I always wanted a long-sleeved lace wedding dress with buttons down the back. My dress was long-sleeved with lace, with a keyhole back and buttons. It had a train, but the veil was longer than my dress with lace edging. It was exactly what I wanted!

34 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

Tell us about the flowers.

Our flowers came from Jenny’s Pink Petals in Wells. They were absolutely stunning, and Jenny was great to work with. She really listened to me and had some great ideas. My bouquet consisted of dahlias, amnesia roses, seeded and silver dollar eucalyptus, thistle, anemone, misty blue, ivory roses and rice flower. All the flowers for our wedding came from Jenny’s, and they were all stunning — definitely one of my favorite details of our wedding.

Other decorations?

All of our wedding décor came from family and friends, and from what we found shopping. The church and the venue were decorated by our amazing family and friends. We couldn’t have done it without them!

Tell us about the cake.

Our cake came from Sugar Chic here in Albert Lea. It turned out exactly how I envisioned it. It was a two-layered naked cake, and the flavor was lemon. It was accented with two little bundles of flowers, which gave it some color and dimension. I wanted something simple and elegant, and that’s what we got!

What was your favorite detail?

My favorite detail of the wedding was the backdrop behind the head table at the reception. We had two barn doors set up against the wall with our last name in large galvanized letters. It also had string lights with lanterns. It made for a beautiful focal point and a fun place to take pictures!

What were you most nervous about?

I think I was most nervous about the weather. Our wedding ended JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 35

up being the week of the polar vortex. We were all a little nervous all week that the cold weather was going to stick around, but we lucked out and our wedding day was almost 40 degrees above zero! Almost a 100-degree difference from the middle of the week. The last time it was that cold was the day/year I was born in February 1996.

What was your most memorable moment?

The most memorable moment of the day was probably walking down the aisle and seeing Bennett at the altar. It was such a special moment being walked down the aisle by my dad to my future husband. Also, when we said our vows. We memorized the traditional vows, and it made it that much more special.

36 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 37

BEING PART OF A

‘JOYOUS EVENT’ The Barn of Chapeau Shores offers mix of rustic elegance

Lead photo by LORA & ISAAC Story by SARAH STULTZ

The Iversons have pews they restained from an old church for family members to sit on during weddings outside the barn.

— Photo courtesy Emelia’s Photography

A

lbert Lean Jayne Iverson has always enjoyed hosting and planning parties. For a long time, she thought it was just a dream to do that on a higher level.

Jayne and Chad Iverson own The Barn of Chapeau Shores. — Colleen Harrison 40 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

But then one day, her daughter was in a wedding, and the whole way home they couldn’t stop talking about it.

She and her husband, Chad, decided to go for that dream.

When they got home, they started looking at different locations as far away as Austin and Rochester and considered whether to renovate a space or build new.

They said they knew the former Sons of Norway barn in Albert Lea was for sale and liked the idea of preserving an old building. Plus, with the transition of some of the services at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea to Austin and the closure of two of the city’s largest stores, they thought they could make a positive impact by opening up a wedding barn in Albert Lea. “We thought this barn would not only be a blessing to us, but it would be a blessing to the community,” Jayne Iverson said.

Couples can add whatever decorations they would like at the barn during their wedding and reception.

— Photo courtesy Emelia’s Photography

It could also help local vendors, including cake decorators, caterers, florists, tuxedo and bridal stores — plus any guests that come in for a wedding would need to stay at area hotels and eat out at area restaurants.

“

We thought this barn would not only be a blessing to us, but it would be a blessing to the community.

— Jayne Iverson

”

“This is our hometown, so it’s near and dear to us,” she said. “We both moved away from a short time, but we decided before we got married we wanted to come back to Albert Lea.”

The renovations

For 20 months, the Iversons embarked on a journey to renovate the barn into what is now known as The Barn of Chapeau Shores.

It had been a working barn up the hill from its present site when it was first built and was moved in 1966 for Lea College, where it was used for the student center. After Lea College closed, the Sons of Norway purchased it and opened it in 1978, Jayne Iverson said. It was used by the organization for many years until it was purchased in 2014 to be used for extra wrestling space.

This doorway that looks out from one side of the barn is a popular place for photos. — Photo courtesy Lora & Isaac

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 41

The Iversons have lights hanging along the top of the roof of the barn throughout the year that add a magical touch to the space. — Photo courtesy Emelia’s Photography

Jayne Iverson said she and her husband bought the barn in 2017.

They said it was structurally sound, and they liked the idea of renovating it.

With Chad Iverson being a contractor and carpenter for a living, they said they wanted to do the project the right way, and hired structural and mechanical engineers as well as an architect.

Before they started their project, the barn did not have any windows and had drop-down ceilings and cement floors. It hadn’t been updated for many years.

They essentially gutted the building, reinsulated everywhere and then put up new shiplap and tin.

It now features an open room and a loft, with lights hanging from the beams, along with a bar area for caterers, restrooms, separate groom and bride suites, and a covered patio. Seating is both on the main level and in the loft.

Between the inside of the barn and the covered patio, it can house 280 people, and the facility is handicapped accessible.

Chad Iverson said out of the 200 event barns in the state, theirs is one of only six that are up to code.

In addition to the venue itself, they supply tables and chairs both indoors for the reception and outdoors for couples that choose to get married outside of the barn, Jayne Iverson said. The families of both the bride and groom sit in church pews that the couple restored.

She said the couples who have utilized the space thus far liked that they could have everything for their special day at the barn.

“It’s nice that their guests can come to one place for the wedding, the dance and the reception all in one place,” she said.

‘A joyous event for families’

The barn opened in June and so far has hosted eight weddings and has 10 weddings scheduled for 2020. It also had four 42 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

Christmas parties slated.

Jayne Iverson said there have been people from nearby in Austin, Blooming Prairie and Owatonna but also other couples who live out of the area in Colorado and Nebraska who chose the barn because it was in the middle of where both of their families live.

In addition to the venue itself, the Iversons also rent wedding decorations and other specialty items for events.

The couple helps out wherever the bride and groom need them during their big day, whether it be doing tasks such as taking out the garbage, refilling the cupcake table, sewing on a button or setting up a photo booth.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Jayne Iverson said. “It’s been a lot of work, but it’s so much fun to be a part of a joyous event for families. We’ve been really blessed to be a part of it.”

The Iversons grew up in Albert Lea and were high school sweethearts. They both moved away for a few years before they moved back in 1993. They have two children, Emma and Noah.

Jayne Iverson has worked for Mayo Clinic Health System for 29

“

It’s been a lot of fun. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s so much fun to be a part of a joyous event for families. We’ve been really blessed to be a part of it.

— Jayne Iverson

Matt and Jess Hatland walk down the aisle on the grounds of The Barn of Chapeau Shores. — Photo courtesy Emelia’s Photography

Pictured is the bridal suite at The Barn of Chapeau Shores. — Colleen Harrison

years and presently works in the Albert Lea Cancer Center as a registered nurse. Chad Iverson is co-owner of L&I Construction.

They joke that she had the vision for the project and he had the skills to get it done.

Jayne Iverson said her parents were owners of the Donut Kettle on South Broadway, and she saw from an early age how much work — and also how rewarding — it was to own a business. She said she still has people who come up to her and tell her about their memories there.

“Being a part of something like this, such a joyous event, it just warms my heart that we’re privileged to be part of their special day,” she said. AL

The Barn of Chapeau Shores features several chandeliers. — Photo courtesy Emelia’s Photography

44 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

Kevin and Jess Sarmiento stand in front of the silo added at The Barn of Chapeau Shores.

— Photo courtesy Lora & Isaac

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Follow us on Instagram & Facebook SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | 47

‘WE’RE JUST NORMAL

PEOPLE’

Albert Lea couple describes life with quadruplets — plus one Photography COLLEEN HARRISON Story by SARAH STULTZ

A

shley and Travis Broskoff will be the first to tell you they live in organized chaos.

As parents of 13-year-old Presley and 9-year-old quadruplets — Raegan, Shay, Hattie and Lia — they admit they lead a busy life.

Whether it’s school, sports, birthday parties or just everyday life, there’s always something going on, Ashley Broskoff said.

“We’re pretty used to the chaos,” she said.

But amid the busyness of their lives, it’s clear they also lead a life full of love and admiration for each other.

‘It always takes a village’

The Broskoffs lived in Geneva until August 2018 when they moved to Albert Lea. Travis Broskoff ’s parents own Broskoff Structures, and he continues to work there.

Ashley Broskoff said she is originally from Albert Lea, and they moved to the city for more opportunities for the children. Each child has several interests, some of which overlap with the other siblings.

Shay, who she described as “100% boy,” likes gymnastics, wrestling and building Legos.

Lia, the free-spirited child, is the actress of the bunch and enjoys being in plays.

Raegan, who is organized — similar to her mother — likes to be in gymnastics and basketball.

50 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

From left, sisters Lia, Hattie and Raegan line up to sled down a hill in their backyard during their Thanksgiving break.

Hattie, the firstborn of the quadruplets who likes to take charge, also likes gymnastics and basketball.

Presley, who is in seventh grade at Southwest Middle School, likes basketball, cooking and hanging out with her friends.

“They all have huge, different personalities,” Ashley Broskhoff said.

While taking care of the quadruplets has gotten easier in some ways, it has gotten harder in others.

“I think every stage in their growing-up lives has different challenges,” Ashley Broskoff said.

When the children were babies, the biggest challenges were making sure they were all fed and changed, she said. Now, it’s making sure their homework is done, that they get to their activities and that they’re all supported emotionally.

“It always takes a village,” she said. “We did have a lot of help. … I still have girlfriends that help with transportation.”

The Broskoffs both grew up with somewhat larger families — Ashley Broskoff had four sisters, and her husband had three. She said

“

It always takes a village. We did have a lot of help. … I still have girlfriends that help with transportation.

— Ashley Broskoff

Each of the quadruplets has their own personalities, their parents say.

Shay and Lia Broskhoff tether their sleds together for sledding down a hill in their backyard.

they know the value of having support from siblings.

She said her quadruplets have always shared a strong connection, and she hopes that continues as they get older.

She gave the example of when they first moved to their new house in Albert Lea, and the children were each going to have their own rooms. The mother said each child got to decorate their room, but then within two months, they were asking to share rooms again like they had done at their old house.

“There’s a bond that I think is pretty unexplainable,” she said.

“They fight like cats and dogs, but at the end of the day, they know they love each other.”

It takes structure

To keep track of all of their activities, Ashley Broskoff has a paper calendar, where she writes all of the activities happening for the family.

The couple said they recognize their children are involved in a lot of activities, but they think it’s good for them to try different things.

Travis Broskoff said he thinks things have gotten somewhat easier since they moved to Albert Lea, but it’s still a challenge.

At home, all of the children are expected to help out around the house, clean up after each other and do other basic chores such as making their beds in their bedrooms.

Ashley Broskoff said some may say her children do a lot of chores — including laundry, dishes and vacuuming — but “my job is to make these people into decent human beings, and they will thank me some day.”

The mother said the quadruplets were conceived naturally, and she often tells herself there is a reason why she’s supposed to have quadruplets.

52 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

“

There’s a bond that I think is pretty unexplainable. They fight like cats and dogs, but at the end of the day, they know they love each other.

”

— Ashley Broskoff

“They’re trying to teach me something, and I try to teach them, too,” she said.

In the early days after the quadruplets were born, she said they could not have survived without people who volunteered to help them out. For this reason, the family has made volunteering a priority as they try to repay the goodwill that was given to them.

And though their lives may be a bit more hectic than some, in reality she said they are really a lot like others.

On Fridays, after what is usually a long week, they said the family likes to relax and watch movies, and each summer they like to go on an annual camping trip.

“We’re really just normal people — we’re just normal people with five kids,” Ashley Broskoff said. AL

EDUCATION | BY RIVERLAND FOUNDATION

Janelle Koepke is the dean of institutional advancement at Riverland Community College.

ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT

Riverland to honor alumni

Riverland Community College alumni play valuable roles throughout our communities. Of course, there are many people in our area who attended one of the schools listed before Riverland even existed — we consider all of you our Riverland alumni!

Over many years, each of these schools has contributed to the development of our region. Education and training leads to a strong workforce, which drives economic development and makes our communities vibrant and thriving. Graduates of the programs Riverland offers can be found in hospitals, clinics, manufacturing facilities, large and small businesses, schools, city and county government, and so many more places. Each one of them plays an important role in their specific job, organization or industry.

We need your help to identify the individuals who have contributed to the community in a significant way. Riverland Community College will honor a Distinguished Alumni at the commencement exercise this spring.

Take a moment to nominate alumni who are worthy of being recognized with this award.

Send your nomination by March 1 to Foundation@Riverland.edu including: • Your name, email and phone • Name of nominee • Nominee’s contributions or accomplishments

To be considered for the award, a nominee must have attended one of these schools: • Albert Lea Area Vocational Technical Institute • Albert Lea/Mankato Technical College • Albert Lea Technical College • Albert Lea Technical Institute • Austin Area Vocational School • Austin Community College • Austin Junior College • Austin State Junior College • Austin Technical College • Austin Technical Institute • Minnesota Riverland Technical College • Owatonna Extension Center - Austin State Junior College • Owatonna Higher Education Center • Owatonna College and University Center • Riverland Community College

Riverland Community College Foundation raises, manages, and distributes resources to support, enhance, and promote the educational opportunities Riverland Community College offers the people of our region. www.riverland.edu/foundation

Thank you for supporting Riverland students!

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 53

LOOKING BACK | WEDDING CEREMONIES AND CELEBRATIONS OF THE PAST

Following the marriage ceremony of Nora Fink and Ernest Klukow in October 1906, a wedding feast and dance were held at the home of the bride’s parents. Music was provided by the Walters Brass Band.

WEDDING CEREMONIES AND CELEBRATIONS OF THE PAST

By LINDA EVENSON Photos courtesy FREEBORN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM One hundred years ago, 344 marriage licenses were granted at the Freeborn County Clerk of Court’s office. At that time, it was the largest number of licenses issued in the county’s history.

Twenty years earlier, in 1900, 190 marriage licenses were issued.

During the first few decades of the 20th century, Albert Lea and Freeborn County witnessed hundreds of wedding ceremonies.

Many occurred on a weekday evening at a church, parsonage or parental home.

It was common for wedding receptions to be held at the home

54 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

of the parents. The celebrations ranged from quiet private gatherings to large events. In 1920, an Albert Lea couple followed their Wednesday morning marriage ceremony with a four-course wedding breakfast at the home of the bride’s parents. Another couple’s wedding on June 30, 1920, required a change of location. The previous day, the bride underwent an appendectomy and was confined to the hospital. Undaunted, the couple preceded with their plans. It was the first wedding ceremony performed at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea.

The wedding ceremony of Martha Agatha “Aggie” Gulbrandson and the Rev. Axel E. Strom was at the Norwegian Lutheran church in Albert Lea in February 1908.

The bride was dressed in light blue silk crepe with a pale blue veil. Following the ceremony, a five-course wedding dinner was served to the guests at the home of the bride’s parents on East Third Street.

In the spring of 1905, Carl Nelson and Anna Mortenson were married at the Danish Lutheran church in Albert Lea. After the ceremony, a sumptuous meal was served to the guests at the home of the bride’s parents.

Marie Goette of Kiester and Manvill Reim of Albert Lea were married in June of 1925 at the Mansfield Lutheran Church parsonage. The bride wore a Chinese cream-colored dress with bridal wreath and veil and carried roses. The couple traveled to Brainerd on their wedding trip.

Harvey Folie and Thea Runden were married March 14, 1927, at Hayward Lutheran Church. The bride’s gown was white silk net. The groom wore a dark blue suit for the ceremony.

About 40 guests attended the three-course wedding dinner and supper following the ceremony.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 55

DIETITIAN’S DIGEST | BY EMILY SCHMIDT

Albert Lea resident Emily Schmidt is a registered dietitian at Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea. She enjoys writing, cooking and spending time with her son and family.

A new year, a new you: 5 habits to keep this year

It’s likely that you’ve already created a mental list of the traits or habits you’d like to eliminate from your life this brand new year. On the other hand, you probably haven’t given much thought to all of the things you’d like to keep in your life. It’s not always about restriction or what you need to rid your life of; sometimes the most important thing is recognizing your current positive habits. Pat yourself on the back if you’re already doing these things, and keep up the great work throughout 2020.

1. Fall asleep early. Feeling guilty for tucking yourself in a little earlier than you used to? This isn’t necessarily a bad habit.

Lack of sleep can negatively impact our health in many ways, including our eating and exercise habits. If we’re not well-rested, we are not as likely to make healthy choices throughout the day due to increased appetite, low energy levels and sleep-deprived clouded judgement. This year, resolve to continue being the sleeping beauty you deserve to be, and stop feeling so guilty for it. If you’re the opposite and tend to sleep poorly, do yourself a favor, if possible, and give a slightly earlier bedtime a chance — it might make a world of difference the next day.

2. Take the bathroom breaks. People often complain to me that they don’t like to increase their water intake because it means they’ll be running back and forth to the restroom all day (and night!) long. Of course, this can be an extreme irritation if it’s in excess, so you should find the right balance. Keep in mind the average person needs two to three liters of fluids daily (more or less depending on age, activity level, certain medications and more), and urine levels should be pale yellow. Lemonade-colored urine is much healthier than apple juice!

3. Eat the plants! Many of the foods that nourish our body and mind best are plants. Whether they’re from the 56 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

ground, tree, bush or vine, eating plants is a great thing you can continue doing for your body. Full of fiber and complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, protein, vitamins, minerals and a multitude of other benefits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, fruit and whole grains are food groups that you can continue to enjoy.

4. Enjoy dining out with your friends and family. Think the new year means forgetting social events? Certainly not. You can still head to the restaurant as socialization is a normal and healthy part of life. However, just be conscious of your choices — choose the lighter entrée, split a dish or appetizer with a friend, and go light on sugary drinks by sticking to water or unsweetened beverages. Now go use up those Christmas restaurant gift cards, especially locally in Albert Lea. 5. Finally, keep eating the peanut butter. Unless of course you don’t like it, or you’re allergic — then that’s an obvious no (although there are sunflower, almond, cashew and other nut/ seed butters too). People are often amazed when I tell them that peanut butter is, in fact, quite nutritious. “I’m trying to eat healthier — guess I need to quit eating peanut butter,” a patient might tell me when we’re discussing heart-healthy eating. Not necessary. Yes, you should be careful with the portion size (one to two tablespoons), but other than that, enjoy the unsaturated fats, vitamins and minerals, and protein whether you like it creamy or crunchy.

Basically, I’m telling you to sleep more, drink more water, enjoy eating with loved ones and eat plant-based foods — even peanut butter! If you’ve been doing some or all of these things successfully in 2019, don’t stop in 2020. If not, here’s your dose of healthy inspiration — it’s never too late. Happy new year!

HEALTH & FITNESS | BY BILL BROMELAND

Bill Bromeland is a co-owner of Anytime Fitness in Albert Lea.

How to conquer the “there’s no time” to exercise myth

We’ve all heard the saying: If you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way; if you don’t want it enough, you’ll find an excuse.

The most common excuse we all use now and then is, “I don’t have enough time.” It’s true, our lives are busy and making fitness a priority isn’t always a reality for some. However, our health is our wealth and making time to make healthy happen is key to ensuring we live our best lives. Let’s take a look at some of the more common time-related excuses we use to avoid exercise, and how we can conquer them.

I have kids.

Back-to-school time was months ago. Before you fill your lesspacked schedule with things that will not benefit you personally, set aside some of this time to get to the gym, take a walk or exercise at home. If you schedule the time the same as you schedule everything else about your life, it will naturally become part of your day-to-day routine. Start small. Once it becomes a habit, you won’t want to miss a single workout because you’ve already experienced its rewards. Hiring a fitness coach or scheduling group sessions or buddy workouts are a great way to make sure you don’t miss out on getting to the gym, too. It’s an appointment, just like going to the doctor or any other professional.

I work full-time.

We all get the same 24 hours every day to use as we determine will be the most beneficial for us. Yes, most of us need to work to support ourselves and our families. But we also need to be healthy to maintain our jobs and provide for our families to the best of our ability. Healthy employees are proven to be more productive and save themselves and their company health-related expenses. What can you do to fight this constant struggle? Try

instilling some healthier habits at work. For example, Anytime Fitness members have access to our free app, with many workouts you can do from anywhere, with limited (to no) equipment.

Time spent on making sure you are in the best physical shape you are capable of is like money in the bank in more ways than one.

I’m tired all the time.

It has been scientifically proven that regular exercise can increase your energy level. Make the time to exercise, and the energy will come. Instead of reaching for that afternoon coffee or energy drink, try a bit of exercise. You’ll be amazed at the results.

It doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent effort your energy level will improve. Bonus: It’s all natural! As a side note to this, make sure you are drinking enough water. Dehydration also is proven to cause fatigue.

I can’t fit a two-hour exercise routine into my day.

There is some really good news on this topic: You don’t need to set aside two (or even one) hours every day for exercise. Studies show that 2.5 hours per week of moderate cardio exercise and two hours of strength training (again per week) are all that is necessary to improve your health. Given that there are 168 hours in every week, 4.5 hours is a little over 2% of your valuable time being spent making you a healthier, happier, more energetic person. There is no way to put a price tag on that.

Let’s make healthy happen!

There will always be a great reason to not do something, but making time for yourself is critical to your overall well-being.

When you feel good about yourself, it has a trickle-down effect that can improve your daily life in more ways than one.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 57

FINANCES | BY EDWARD JONES

ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT

Always invest in your family and community Why do you invest? For many people, here’s the answer: “I invest because I want to enjoy a comfortable retirement.” And that’s certainly a great reason, because all of us should regularly put money away for when we’re retired. But you can also benefit by investing in your family and your community.

Let’s start with your family members, particularly the younger ones.

How can you invest in their future? One of the best ways is to help send them to college. A college degree is still a pretty good investment: The average lifetime earnings of a college graduate are nearly $1 million higher than those of someone with a high school degree, according to a study by the U.S. Census Bureau.

To help your children or grandchildren pay for any college, university, vocational school or other postsecondary education, you may want to open a 529 savings plan. With this account, withdrawals are federally tax free, as long as the money is used for qualified higher education expenses, including those from trade and vocational schools. (However, if you withdraw some of the earnings on your account, and you don’t use the money for qualified expenses, it will be taxable and can also incur a 10% federal tax penalty.) Plus, you retain control of the funds until it’s time for them to be used for school, so if your original beneficiary chooses not to pursue some type of higher education, you can name a different eligible beneficiary.

Another way to invest in your family is to help your adult children avoid feeling obligated to provide financial assistance to you. For example, if you ever required some type of long-term care, such as an extended stay in a nursing home, could you afford it? The average cost for a private room in a nursing home is more than $100,000 per year, according to a study by Genworth, an insurance company. And

58 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

Medicare typically pays very few of these expenses. So, to avoid burdening your adult children — while also preserving your own financial independence – you may want to consider some type of longterm care insurance. A financial advisor can help you determine what coverage may be appropriate.

Moving beyond your family, you may want to invest in the social fabric of your community by contributing to local charitable, civic, educational or cultural groups. Of course, now that we’re in the holiday season, it’s the perfect time for such gifts. Furthermore, your gift will be more appreciated than in years past because one of the chief incentives for charitable giving — a tax deduction — was lost for many people due to tax law changes, which raised the standard deduction so significantly that far fewer people chose to itemize deductions. However, you might still be able to gain some tax benefits from your charitable gifts. To name one possibility, you could donate financial assets, such as stocks that have risen in value, freeing you of potential capital gains taxes. In any case, contact your tax advisor if you’re considering sizable charitable gifts.

Saving for your retirement will always be important. But don’t forget about investing in your family and your community — because these investments can provide satisfying returns.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones financial advisor.

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

HEALTHY PETS | BY MICHELLE NELSON

Michelle Nelson is the owner of The Pet Authority.

ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT

Can food be medicine?

Hippocrates said it best, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Nutrition is the foundation of health for your pets. If fuels the body and provides the essential building blocks for health maintenance, energy and tissue repair. We need to look at food as the most important medicine we give our pets every single day. In order to maintain your pets health, it is paramount to feed fresh, wholesome and low or unprocessed nutrition.

Here are seven healthy foods to support your pets health and promote healing: 1. Bone broth: One of my favorites due to the numerous health benefits.

Improves digestion and helps heal leaky gut (all disease starts in the gut), assists in detoxing the liver, reduces inflammation, alleviates joint pain, boosts the immune system, supports brain function, improves skin health, strengthens bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments, and improves skin health.

2. Raw goat milk: One of the most nutrient-dense foods around, raw unpasteurized goats milk is a great source of Vitamin A, D and K2, is full of healthy fats like Medium Chain Triglycerides and Omega 3s, is full of probiotics and digestive enzymes, and is a great source of protein, amino acids, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

3. Organ meats: Organs and glands are very nutrient dense, that is why in nature dogs and cats instinctually go for the good stuff first when they kill their prey, the organs. Your pets will benefit from adding organs such as stomach (tripe), liver, kidney, heart, brain and adrenal glands to their diet.

4. Eggs: Labeled as the most complete protein, eggs are great for

cardiovascular health, eye and skin health. And yes, raw eggs are safe. My dogs love them raw or cooked.

5. Omega-3 oils: Great brain food, also great for joint support, heart health, anti-inflammatory, kidney function and skin and eye health. Small fish like sardines and anchovies are a great source or using a fish oil supplement like krill oil.

6. Coconut oil: Another must for my dogs, coconut oil is a packed with a tremendous amount of benefits. It improves cognitive function, is anti-bacterial, reduces inflammation, is full of antioxidants and minerals, boosts the immune system and is great for skin and oral health. Since it is a healthy fat, it helps to fight cancer as cancer cells cannot use fat.

Cancer cells fuel themselves by eating sugar; without sugar they will starve.

Knowing that carbohydrates turn into sugar, if you are feeding a dry food, which on average is 50% sugar, you are feeding the perfect cancer food.

7. Fermented foods: Like kefir or yogurt, fermented foods are a great source of probiotics. They support the immune system, help detox the bowels and help heal leaky gut and IBD. Whether you currently feed your pets a dry food diet or a biologically appropriate raw food diet, these seven healthy foods can be added to improve your pet’s overall health. Do you want your pets to thrive or just survive? The choice is yours.

I will leave you with an ancient proverb, “When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need.”

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 59

EVENTS CALENDAR JANUARY

11

“THE STORY SHOW” When: 7 p.m.

Where: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center Cost: $15 for adults, $5 for children 10 and under More info.: An independent fundraising event for local charities, “The Story Show” brings storytellers to the stage for an evening of comedy and drama. The show features live readings from the stage centered on the theme of “Pass the Plate.”

Money raised from the show will go to the Albert Lea Food for Backpacks program.

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

OUTDOOR ROCK ON ICE

“PORGY AND BESS”

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JANUARY

13

COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS FAIR When: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Where: Senior Center in Skyline Plaza Cost: Free More info.: Make your health a priority by attending the Community Health and Wellness Fair, sponsored by the Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Department and Statewide Health Improvement Partnership. There will be speakers, vendors and cooking demos.

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When: 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Hayek Park Cost: Free More info.: Bring your friends and family out to Hayek Park for Outdoor Rock on Ice. There will be music by DJ Abrego, outdoor activities, a fire, hot chocolate and s’mores. Bring your own skates.

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When: 11:55 a.m.

Where: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center Cost: $20 general admission, $12 students under 30, $90 for five-ticket flex package More info.: Love, murder and craps tell the tale of Catfish Row, a South Carolina tenement neighborhood. Crown joins a game of craps, but he loses and kills another player in an ensuing fight. He flees the scene, leaving his partner, Bess, behind.

Porgy, a disabled beggar, takes her in.

Though they find happiness together, that happiness is complicated and threatened by storms, competing suitors and more death to come.

FEBRUARY

13-16, 19-22 “IRENA’S VOW”

When: 7:30 p.m. on all days except for Feb. 16, when there is a 2 p.m. matinee Where: Marion Ross Performing Arts Center Cost: $15 for adults, $10 for students More info.: “Irene’s Vow” tells the story of Irene Gut Opdyke, a 19-year-old housekeeper in the home of a Nazi officer, who decides to shelter 12 Jewish workers in the safest place she can think of: the basement of the German commander’s house. Over the next two years, she uses her wit and courage to hide her friends until the end of the German occupation, concealing them in the midst of countless Nazi parties, a blackmail scheme and even the birth of a child.

FEBRUARY

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CANDLELIGHT WALK When: 6 to 9 p.m.

Where: Myre-Big Island State Park; event parking at picnic grounds Cost: Minnesota state park permit required to enter; $7 for daily permit, $35 for annual permit More info.: Experience a winter evening by candlelight. Bring your snow boots, snowshoes or skis and make your way through the woods on a candlelit path.

Refreshments and a warm fire will be provided.

FEBRUARY

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TERRY BARBER When: 7:30 p.m.

Where: Albert Lea High School auditorium Cost: $95 for family season ticket, $45 for adult season ticket, $15 for students under 30 season ticket More info.: Terry Barber will take you higher — literally. He is a countertenor, the highest adult male singing voice, and will bring his “Around the World in 80 Minutes” show to Albert Lea. The performance features arrangements of “the world’s favorite melodies in 10 languages,” as the show title states (think “La Vie En Rose,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “Danny Boy”). Barber debuted with the New York City Opera in 2001.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020 | 61

THERE’S ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW AT

SKYLINE PLAZA

62 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

PARTING SHOT Lens and Shutter Club member Darcy Sime of Alden took this photo at MyreBig Island State Park. She said she enjoys photographing the tree in all seasons.

WHY I LOVE ALBERT LEA | BY JENNY DAVIS

Why I

L Albert Lea Jenny Davis is the recreation program supervisor with Albert Lea Parks and Recreation. She lives in Austin with her husband, Ben, and three children, Owen, Scarlett and Willa.

She enjoys spending time with family, being outdoors, traveling and reading.

I’ll be honest with you. Growing up, I didn’t think Albert Lea was anything special. I specifically remember visiting from college and thinking, the less time spent here, the better. You see, I was a sophisticated college student studying in Mankato. I had seen the world (west of Albert Lea) and knew there was something better out there.

Yet, as so often happens with age and experience, our perceptions change, our views grow. Maybe Albert Lea really wasn’t so bad. Maybe Albert Lea was, in fact, what many people long for in a community: good schools, beautiful parks, friendly people, safe, affordable and fun.

Fast forward many moons, and I now work with Albert Lea Parks and Recreation. As one might imagine, I am partial to all things parks, recreation and leisure related. And what does Albert Lea have an abundance of besides water? You got it! Parks, recreation and leisure.

You doubt me? I’ll begin with parks. Forty-five (wow) beautiful developed and undeveloped pieces of glorious space. When my children were younger, it was nothing for us to walk to a park, the next day visit another and so on. In my neck of the woods, I had four parks easily within walking distance.

Then you have the big power players, Edgewater and Bancroft 64 | ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

Bay — two of my faves! My esteem for Bancroft Bay is so great that I was married there. What it lacks in a playground, it makes up for in open space and beauty. And there are all sorts of little secrets to discover.

As for Edgewater, it’s probably safe to say it is on most Albert Leans’ lists of favorite parks. On any given day you may see people out walking their dogs, fishing, enjoying the playground equipment, docking their boat, enjoying a bonfire, playing ball and watching movies (it’s a Park and Rec thing). It is the place where so many memories are made. Pavilions in the park have hosted family reunions, weddings, baptisms, celebrations of life, graduation open houses, birthday parties, church services, class reunions and who knows what else!

On to recreation and leisure. If you believe there is nothing to do in Albert Lea, then you may want to adjust your mindset.

Searching for an event, class or program? Look no further than the always-awesome Parks and Recreation. But don’t forget Community Education, YMCA, Senior Center, library, churches, youth associations, school district, local businesses and more. All of these groups are putting on events, programs and opportunities for people in our community, many of them free or at low cost.

In short, the reason I love Albert Lea is because of the great opportunities for people in the area to recreate and parks to visit year-round. If I haven’t convinced you that there are fun things happening here, then go explore. Scour social media, websites, brochures and flyers for your next fun activity. If that fails, locating all 45 of our city parks should keep you busy.

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ALBERT LEA MAGAZINE

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JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

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VOL. 8 NO. 1

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